Four villages wait on rail compensation

Farmers in four villages in Natmauk township, Magwe Region, are still waiting to receive compensation nearly six years after their land was taken. The 48-kilometre (30-mile) railway that runs over their fields in Magwe and Natmauk townships was built in 2010.

“Other people received it. We are poor and we have to think of our future. We can’t cultivate that land any more. If other farmers got compensation, why can’t we?” said farmer U Soe Win of Padauk Ngote village.

Land from Padauk Ngote, Tagundine, Inngone and Yarpyin villages was used for the Natmauk-Magwe railway, villagers told a press conference on February 28 in Magwe town.

“We told Natmauk township general administration office and the Land Records Department about the case. They haven’t done anything so far,” said Ko Zaw Min Htaik, one of the farmers’ leaders.

The farmers first demonstrated to back up their demand last June. “We will keep on campaigning until we get it, in accordance with the law,” said Ko Zaw Min Htaik.